England World Cup final worth £1bn to retailers

Kate McCann is a reporter at City A.M. She covers politics and insurance and can be contacted at kate.mccann@cityam.com.

Follow Kate

Kate McCann

AS FOOTBALL fans around the world prepare for the start of the biggest event in the sporting calendar next week, it won’t just be supporters who are hoping England make it to the final of the World Cup in Brazil.

New research suggests retailers stand to make a Mexican-wave-worthy £1bn during the game if England make it to the final, as spectators stock up on food and drink to watch the match at home.

Overall, VoucherCodes.com predicts that if Roy Hodgson’s men make the final the nation’s retailers will have benefited to the tune of £2.58bn, with each goal being worth a mighty £198.5m to shops, pubs and clubs.

The research suggests that over 23m of us will splash out on souvenirs or sportswear during the World Cup, as well as new televisions and eating and drinking. Each fan is expected to spend £56, rising to £112 if the Three Lions make it to the final.

And it’s not just the UK’s pubs and bars cashing in on England’s possible success.

Online retailers are expected to net £174.71m of spending by the second stage, rising to £367.49m if England surprise the critics and reach the final match. Mobile sales are expected to make up around 20 per cent of the total spend online.